“He said a third party or a minor party would be suicidal. He encouraged us to get involved, and we had thousands of people who did just that,” Rodgers said. “They became delegates. They did it through the process. Because Tom didn’t like who they had chosen, he gave us this ultimatum.”

The Tea Party groups are said to represent about 10,000 people.

On an apparently much smaller level, some conservatives are urging Republicans to skip the governor’s race primary as a show of protest.

For those Colorado Republicans disappointed in our two choices for governor: Scott McInnis and Dan Maes[6]. We’d like to register our disappointment by voting for neither of them in the August 10 primary — in hopes that the winner will drop out and a credible candidate be selected in his place.

(Disclosure: Your Spotted This Morning Correspondent is never sure what to “like” or skip on Facebook, as I often wish to track what’s going on with a politician or group I don’t necessarily “like.” So if you poke around on my Facebook page, please understand my “likes” aren’t necessarily endorsements. And please add me as a friend[7] if you do visit.)

It appears those Tea Partiers who do worry about the president’s birthplace are cutting Buck slack. But you’ve got to wonder how many more of these high-heeled moments Buck can get away with.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal’s Stephanie Simon[12], reporting from Denver, argues Buck’s tough-talk on the campaign trail — at least as it relates to government spending — continues to work for him among the Tea Party set.

Key quote that sums up the central belief of many Buck supporters: “We believe he’ll do what he says he’ll do,” said Margo Knutson, 48, a member of three suburban tea-party groups.

NORTON PICKS UP BREWER ENDORSEMENT

But certainly not all Republicans are interested in Buck’s tough talk.

The tough-talking Jane Norton has her fans as well, and a big star of the party picked her this weekend.